One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. All of the expectations that have grown with the Tony Award-winning musical “The Secret Garden” are fulfilled in the current production now at the Town and Country Players in Buckingham.

A short-sighted person might describe this play as a musical where the dead waltz across the stage, while their survivors sing mournfully of their loss. But if you give this children’s storybook tale time to unfold, you’ll find a world where lost loves are found, lost lives are saved, spring comes again and beauty reigns.

It is ultimately an uplifting play about the healing power of love and the miracle of rebirth. It is a fascinating story for children that develops in a sophisticated manner that adults will find stimulating.

The T&C Players have invested considerable resources in this production. Their work is vibrant and thought-provoking to look at, melodic and poignant to hear, movingly acted by a large extraordinary cast and blessed with a marvelous young lady in the lead role of Mary Lennox.

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Director Keith Soester has set a new gold standard, casting this musical with such high quality; it far outreaches the caliber of community theaters.

The physical production qualities beautifully support the wonderful onstage cast with musical direction by Charles de Mets and the excellent sound design of Dan Weidman, Ryan Beebe and Keith Soester.

This period play is attractively dressed in costume designs by Marie Costello, Patrina Price, Barbara Iannuzzi and Sharon Rill-Soester. Together with the colorful scenic design of David Sharper, this musical becomes an extraordinary pleasure of both sight and sound.

The story is set in the moors of Yorkshire in 1911, where young Mary Lennox comes to live with her Uncle Archie in a dreary 100-room mansion after the girl’s parents die of cholera during an epidemic in India. Left on her own by Archie, who is grieving over the death of his adored wife and the frail health of the son she left behind, Mary discovers many secrets in her uncle’s home, including the abandoned garden that brings her new family together.

When Lily’s garden is brought to life by the persistent faith of this little girl, the lives of everyone in the house are transformed.

The book and lyrics by Marsha Norman are full of allegorical and mystical elements that are constantly emphasized including the spirits of Mary’s parents, her Indian servants and others she knew in India as well as the spirit of Archie’s wife, Lily. As the living family comes together, the ghosts, no longer needed, depart one by one.

Both the book and lyrics remain faithful to the original Frances Burnett novel — the subject of a 1949 movie version with Margaret O’Brien and Dean Stockwell. This black-and-white movie switches to color for the final scene to glorify the resplendent garden.

This musical has a very good theatrical way of storytelling and Soester’s fluid direction is constantly on the move, giving the production a confident look.

The most single unifying asset is Lucy Simon’s lush, romantic music, which melds English and Scottish folk idioms, nursery tunes and Indian rhythms. There are 25 songs in the show. The cultivated English accents are also something to enjoy in this show.

The adorable Emily Gallagher displays remarkable emotional depth as the central character, Mary Lenox. This amazing young lady has a wonderful stage presence that is heightened by her delightful singing voice. She is an absolute pleasure to watch.

Kelly Slota who sings like an angel, is enchanting as Lily’s ghost. Slota is a gifted vocalist whose credits include Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera.” Her songs here reach a stunning range of vocal octaves.

Keith Kirkner is a commanding Uncle Archibald, the figure of aloofness borne of private sorrows. His accomplished singing comes with one caution — in the male duet “Lily’s Eyes,” the vocal mismatch is all too obvious.

There are other favorites in this large cast of eccentric characters. Roseann Enwright creates the role Martha with superb results. As the irrepressible chambermaid, she provides a touch of pizzazz.

Trevor Frantz does nicely as Dickon, the handsome young lad with a conjuring stick; well-spoken and nicely sung albeit, a bit reserved. Everyone will enjoy Bill Hoblin’s affectionate coloring of the cantankerous gardener, Ben.

Other noteworthy supporting performances include Jim Banar as Archibald’s mean-spirited doctor-brother, Reva Kazman as the housekeeper and Ben Dreyer as Colin Craven, Archibald’s young son who suffers from an unspecified medical problem. As Fakir and Ayah, John Wishnie and Colby Langweiler colorfully fix the India influence in the opening scene and the collective chorus called dreamers — Stuart Leclair, Amelia Arrigo, Alicia Landis, David Martin, Paul Waldowski, Carly Price and Michael Gearty — achieve great harmony in their songs.

“Secret Garden” speaks directly to the heart of children. It holds the promise of a place where those who feel neglected or abandoned or out of place can find a space where they belong, where they can grow and become the girl or boy they were meant to be.

With a high caliber of acting and singing combined with its strong production values, this extraordinary garden is a secret we all want to share. I strongly recommend that you come to this garden!